I say void because, despite a rather bland remark from GOP Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, which avoided mentioning Cuomo by name, and the Tweets from Steve McLaughlin, who is already known as a Cuomo critic, members of the Legislature have been rather quiet in their response to the NY Times story earlier in the week about Gov Cuomo’s meddling with the now-closed Moreland anti-corruption commission.

Certainly Cuomo’s gubernatorial opponents and GOP candidates for other statewide offices have made hay with the report, but lawmakers have been oddly quiet.

This probably shouldn’t be a surprise since A) They figure the public may not be that upset and B) The closure of the commission could be seen as a big favor to the Legislature, whose members were the major targets.

Now, though, Hudson Valley Republican Assemblyman Steve Katz is joining the critics with a call for an investigation.

Here’s what Katz had to say earlier Friday:

After reading the New York Times report earlier this week it is apparent that Gov. Cuomo’s motto for the Moreland Commission was “Subpoenas for thee; not me.” The governor’s initiative to clean up Albany corruption is mired in scandal itself ? a feat not easily attained. The laws and scope of this investigation are not just for the little people. We deserve an open and transparent investigation into the Moreland Commission and any involvement the governor’s office had in their activities.

Albany corruption and backroom deals is the reasons that everyone is silent. Democrats and Republicans are the same. All of them are frightened little lambs who are afraid to actually represent their districts. They are all beholden to their master, and none will risk his wrath. They only ones who are not already bought and paid for are the ones who will speak out about this. The others are likely too scared to stand up or are part of the political problem. Vote them out. Anybody but Cuomo. Send a message with your votes

Finally somebody comes forward. All the others are just career politicians who don’t want to rock the boat. Clearly Deputy Speaker Kolb and Senate ‘Republican’ Leader Skelos would sell their own mothers before standing up for something.

Good for Katz. It’s no wonder why he got busted for toking up on the way to session. I would too if I had to deal with that outfit, and it’s not like they do anything anyway.

Strange when only pot heads (and pot advocates and entrepenuers) have the courage to speak out regarding Cuomo! Anyone asked Skelos, Sheldon, Kolb to comment on NYT story? How long until Lil’Mario–the feared bully comes out and attacks the media? Six days since Cuomo has been spotted–he must be in NYC, or the mansion, or his lady friends tax sheltered residence–media should have those locations staked out. Cuomo is laying low hoping another scandal will emerge so his scandalous deception cannot be the focus of media…like a typical bully he crumbles when someone finally stood up to him and called him out! Quit hiding Little Marion…

You would think that an outspoken TEAPublican like Greg Ball would weigh in on this…unless he has problems of his own. Oh dear, I had better watch what I say because Greg has that attorney working for him!

i could not agree more with Mr. Katz assessment above. the silence is deafening from the Legislative branch. we may therefore conclude that a significant majority of NY lawmakers hands are dirty and they prefer to just hide under a rock until the stupid disinterested populace forgets all about this in a week. Cuomo is a manipulative lying hypocrite of the very highest order and we may rest assured that this incident is just the tip of the iceberg.

Wonder if Cuomo might emerge from hiding next week to comment on the loss of 300 jobs at Tyson’s WNY facility. The families of those workers would like to be assured that everything possible had been done to retain those jobs. SHAMEFUL we have the state’s leader AWOL…he might soon get the message that he has to come out and come clean on his scandalous deception of New Yorkers!

Note surprising. Kuomo and the Legislature are one big dysfunctional enabling family.

This will not continue to be a story until Preet makes it one.
–
One can only hope that there is just one honest man remaining in this ordeal.
–
Do the right thing Preet.
–
Expose this mess for what it is.
–
Put them all in jail.

@RL-Katz was busted for holding not toking. He changed his tune on marijuana once his own use came to light. I welcome him among those of us who choose to use one of the flowering herbs of the field given to us by the creator but demonized by politicians with their own personal agendas.

The governor’s actions as described in the NY Times article may not be prosecutable. One person’s bully is another person’s strong leader. It all depends on whether or not you agree on whether or not the ends justify the means.

Teddy Roosevelt was elected to the New York State Assembly (New York Co., 21st D.) in 1882, 1883, and 1884. He later wrote that this was the worst time he ever encountered in his life due to the corruption that plagued New York state. Funny how little has changed.

If the members of the Moreland Commission aka JCOPE were made deputy attorney generals by our Attorney General than Mr. Cuomo can not “fire” or do anything to them except to plead the Fifth Amendment. Why is our Attorney General so quiet about this? He is apparently in a competitive General Election and letting the Executive Branch of State Government tell the Law Department what to do, is a reason to look at all the candidates for Attorney General.

The reason legislators are quiet is because there’s no meat to back up the charges. The Teapublican echo chamber took a story that’s based on anecdotal reports of a few phone calls and is now doing the constant linking back and forth between various right-wing newspapers, trying to make the story sound like more than it is.

They’re doing that because the GOP candidate for Governor -Rob Astorino- is weak. He isn’t capable of providing complete or thoughtful responses in interviews, his campaign website is nothing more than a rehashing of Teapublican boilerplate propaganda, and he comes across in personal appearances as a sociopath, hence, the GOP in New York state is trying to do the Darrel Issa “thing” with a lightly sourced story based on flimsy accusations, and which hasn’t been corroborated by anybody, or subjected to confirmation by an investigative process.

No response from anyone on the 2nd floor. No response from our NY State Senate or NY State Assembly Leaders.

Meanwhile more corruption as ppl await the Challenge grant money and nobody on the 2nd floor will comment where the money went.
What jobs? More ppl can’t wait to retire working for this administration and there is NO plan to replace or train staff. Civil Service has a bunch of interns/fellows going to all the state schools job fairs. It’s comical on many levels since everyone knows you won’t get hired by the Cuomo admin unless you are a donor or related to someone who is a board member of REBNY.

Well there may be another reason that no one is talking; fear of retribution. Look at Mayor DeBlasio; he confronted the Governor on many issues and lost. Now he is playing nice-nice. Metaphorically, will there be a “I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!” moment to come?

The relative silence of the legislature on the Moreland Commission is known as the “chilling effect.” It is typically what happens when people are blackmailed and made examples of and indicative of a cultural and institutional system of corruption.

This AM on Morning Joe unanimous skewering of Andrew emphasis on incredulity as to what he did. Chuck Todd – MSNBC’s prominent chief political analyst – bluntly concluded this kills any national aspirations (delusions) for Andrew.

Frankly, if your Assemblyperson or Senator does not speak out on this, to criticize King Kuomo’s Korruption, and to call for his resignation, vote them out. They are complicit in all of his manipulation and strong arming, during his tenure, which has been demonstrated all along, by their total silence, on every issue that has stolen the rights of many New Yorkers. Call them and demand that they DEMAND that Kuomo resign. That will give you a better picture of the ethics and morals of your representatives.

Email your legislator a complaint and see if you get anything more then an automated response stating it was received, will be read personally by the legislator, but due to the volume received you may not receive a response.

About Capitol Confidential

Capitol Confidential gathers the best coverage of New York politics and puts it all together. Each section - Capitol, The State Worker, New York on the Potomac, and Voices - represents a unique facet of the political scene. The Capitol section features coverage from the Times Union Capitol bureau. The State Worker is dedicated to state worker issues. New York on the Potomac offers news of interest to New Yorkers from Washington. And Voices features the best of everything else, pointing you to columnists and bloggers from across the Web.